Industry news from April 2025

Visterra Landscape Group, a commercial landscaping platform, has acquired Cleveland-based H&M Landscaping, which provides commercial landscape and snow and ice management services. The partnership with H&M extends Visterra’s service reach across Ohio, western Pennsylvania and northeast Indiana.

H&M Landscape was founded in 1988 by CEO Mark Mazzurco and is home to nearly 300 employees and supported by a leadership team with more than a century of combined experience in operational and client service.

All H&M employees, including Mazzurco and his leadership team, will remain with Visterra in critical positions.

“Our history, reputation and legacy are tied to the hard work, passion and dedication of our people who have made H&M what we are today, and I couldn’t be more proud of everything we have accomplished over the last four decades,” Mazzurco says. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the incredible people and organizations throughout all of northern Ohio including our employees, customers and other stakeholders who have been with us from our humble beginnings. While the decision to enter the next chapter of our lifecycle was not easy, I am confident the partnership with Visterra will create significant value for our people, customers and legacy.”

Visterra Chief Executive Officer Alan Handley attributed H&M’s success and synergy with Visterra to an alignment of shared values, and in particular, an employee-first culture and commitment to exceptional customer experiences.

“Mark’s leadership, vision and passion have guided H&M’s success over many decades, earning H&M a reputation as one of the most respected and successful commercial landscaping and snow and ice management providers in greater Cleveland and northern Ohio,” Handley says. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Mark and all H&M employees and customers to the Visterra family. Together, we will continue to forge a culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing and customer satisfaction as we expand across the region and into new markets.”

The acquisition of H&M Landscaping is Visterra’s second in 2025 after the acquisition of Cru Cutters in January, and it’s the seventh since its founding in 2022. Visterra was represented by legal counsel Much Shelist and the transaction is effective immediately. No financial terms were disclosed.

Senske Family of Companies acquires Huron Pest Control

Huron Pest Control will now operate under Mosquito Buzz, Senske’s Canadian brand specializing in mosquito and tick control

Senske Family of Companies has acquired Huron Pest Control, a pest management company in Ontario.

As part of this transition, Huron Pest Control will now operate under Mosquito Buzz, Senske’s Canadian brand specializing in mosquito and tick control.

Senske ranked No. 23 on last year’s Lawn & Landscape Top 100 list and has grown with acquisitions like TurfPride in January. Meanwhile, Huron Pest Control customers will have uninterrupted service and access to Mosquito Buzz’s mosquito and tick control programs as part of the acquisition.

“Expanding our presence in Canada through Huron Pest Control strengthens our ability to provide exceptional, environmentally responsible pest control services,” says Casey Taylor, CEO of Senske Family of Companies. “Mosquito Buzz is known for its innovative solutions and outstanding customer care, and we’re excited to bring these benefits to Huron’s loyal customers while maintaining the trusted service they expect.”

Caterpillar names Pambianchi chief human resources officer

Pambianchi will be a member of Caterpillar’s executive office and will succeed Cheryl H. Johnson, whose retirement was announced in January.

Caterpillar has appointed Christy Pambianchi to chief human resources officer effective May 1. Pambianchi will be a member of Caterpillar’s executive office and will succeed Cheryl H. Johnson, whose retirement was announced in January.

Pambianchi has served as a CHRO for the past 18 years at various companies across multiple industries, most recently serving as chief people officer at Intel, which manufactures semiconductor and earns over $53 billion in annual revenue.

“Our people are a source of innovation and competitive advantage, and we must continue to attract and retain the best talent to serve our customers,” says Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby. “Christy is an experienced executive with strong credentials and a history of demonstrated success. I am confident she will contribute to our journey of profitable growth.”

As the chief people officer at Intel, Pambianchi led human resources, corporate real estate, corporate social responsibility and the company’s transformation management office. Pambianchi has held CHRO roles at Verizon and Corning with responsibilities that included information technology and every aspect of human resources. She also held additional roles of increased responsibility at PepsiCo.

Pambianchi holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources, serving on their board as well as several human resources boards to advance the profession.

Industry mourns Jesus ‘Chuy’ Medrano

The co-founder of CoCal Landscape in Denver was a leader in the green industry.

Landscaper Jesus “Chuy” Medrano, the former owner of CoCal Landscape in Denver, passed away in March. He was 70.

Lawn & Landscape interviewed Medrano in 2017 for our Leadership Awards. One of his former colleagues, Tom Fochtman, told us that Medrano was “the kind of guy who can light up the room because he’s warm and has a great sense of humor — he’s highly respected.”

“He is one of the great leaders in the industry,” Fochtman said.

The following is from an obituary commemorating Medrano’s life, which can be found in full at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery/ Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary website.

“With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Jesus “Chuy” Medrano, a beloved father, grandfather, and friend born on March 18, 1954, in Chihuahua Mexico passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, at 4:48 a.m., leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience and unwavering devotion to his family.

Born with a kind heart and a strong spirit, Chuy dedicated his life to providing for and nurturing those he loved. He was a man of deep faith, hard work and boundless generosity, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. His wisdom and warmth touched the lives of many, and his laughter brought light to even the darkest days.

He is survived by his beautiful wife, Maria Lourdes; his four loving children: Jesus (Maria), Carlos (Jodie), Marisol (Sergio), and Valerie; his 11 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers and 4 sisters. Though his presence will be deeply missed, his love and lessons will live on through them and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the incredible life he lived. His memory will forever remain in our hearts, a guiding light of strength, love and compassion.”

Massey Services COO Ed Dougherty retires

After joining the company as a trainee in 1992, Dougherty was promoted to executive vice president of operations in 2011 and to COO in 2016.

Chief Operating Officer Ed Dougherty will retire from Massey Services, which ranked No. 30 on Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 list last year, after a 30-plus year career. The move was made effective March 31.

Dougherty joined Massey Services as a manager trainee in Tampa in 1992. He moved to Orlando after receiving a promotion to general manager of the company’s Orlando commercial service center in 1994. Over the next several years, he held a variety of leadership positions in operations, including division manager of the commercial division and regional manager over South Florida, Central Florida, Georgia and The Villages. In the spring of 2009, Dougherty was promoted to vice president, GreenUP Landscape Services, overseeing the entire landscape division. Just a year later, he was promoted to executive vice president, consumer services and was responsible for all residential service center operations. Dougherty was promoted to executive vice president of operations in 2011 and to COO in 2016.

“Ed’s leadership and vision have been an integral part of our company’s growth,” says Tony Massey, president and CEO of Massey Services. “He has led our operations team with compassion and empathy, demonstrating a profound dedication to our team members and our customers. On behalf of our entire Massey Services team, we thank Ed for his 33 years of dedicated service.”

Dougherty, originally from Philadelphia, began his career in the pest management industry after receiving his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Eastern Michigan University. He completed the Harvard Business School OPM Key Executives Program in 2004.

In the community, Dougherty has served on the American Heart Association Heart Walk leadership team in Central Florida. He has also served on Florida Citrus Sports’ Board of Directors for more than 10 years, having most recently served as president of the board from 2022 to 2023. He is also a graduate of Leadership Orlando.

In the interim, Tony Massey will lead the operations team at Massey Services.

SiteOne names Carrothers VP of agronomic business development

Daniel Carrothers brings 35 years of industry experience, and prior to joining SiteOne, he was most recently the director of global special solutions for FMC.

SiteOne Landscape Supply has added Dan Carrothers as the new vice president for agronomic business development.

Carrothers will further develop and lead the strategy to accelerate growth for large regional agronomic and erosion control customers, including golf and maintenance-oriented national accounts. He will also be responsible for adding agronomic product distributors to SiteOne through acquisition as a part of this strategy.

“SiteOne has virtually everything,” Carrothers says. “No other distributor out there can bring that vast array of potential solutions to landscaping professionals like SiteOne.”

Carrothers brings 35 years of industry experience, driving growth across a wide range of products and customers. Prior to joining SiteOne, he was the director of global special solutions for FMC.

“A small customer can walk into a SiteOne branch and get everything they need,” Carrothers says. “As they grow, their needs will change, and we will be focused on customizing our products and services for them to continue to exceed their expectations. The whole idea is to grow stronger together. I am excited to be part of a company that has that vision of growth with its customers.”

Carrothers has held positions in sales and marketing with Emery Oleochemicals, BASF, Bayer and Monsanto. Carrothers served on the boards of directors of Responsible Industry for a Sustainable Environment, National Association of Landscape Professionals and Project Evergreen. Additionally, Carrothers also helped start one of the largest Weedman franchises in North America, and served as the COO of a data analytics company.

Carrothers has a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Guelph, Ontario, and an Executive MBA from Queens University, Ontario.

Davey Tree expands in St. Paul, promotes Ostlie to district manager

Ostlie started with Davey in 2020 as a plant health care technician for the South Minneapolis office.

The Davey Tree Expert Company has expanded its residential/commercial (R/C) operations in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has promoted a new district manager, James Ostlie.

“Our offices in Minnesota have continued to experience remarkable growth and success,” says Geoff Cowan, vice president and general manager, Western operations, R/C services. “We are excited that our new office in North St. Paul will expand Davey’s brand reach to new audiences and expose them to our client-focused, scientific solutions. In preparation for leading the North St. Paul office, James has served in a variety of roles within Davey, gaining operational and field management experiences. In these roles, he has built and maintained extensive relationships with clients and colleagues, as well as showcased his ambassadorship for the Davey brand.”

Ostlie started with Davey in 2020 as a plant health care technician for the South Minneapolis office. In 2021, he was promoted to sales arborist for the North Minneapolis office, then in 2023 to assistant district manager. Prior to joining Davey, Ostlie worked in a variety of urban forestry and arboriculture roles.

Ostlie is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist and holds an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) certification. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Luther College and a master’s degree in forest sciences and biology from the University of Minnesota.

Schill Grounds Management taps 3 for senior leadership roles

Jono Fries will be the vice president of operations, Patrick Quinlan will be the vice president of mergers & acquisitions, and Michael Palmer has joined as vice president of marketing.

Schill Grounds Management has promoted or hired three new senior leadership positions in the company.

Schill, which ranked No. 28 on Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 list last year, promoted Jono Fries to vice president of operations. He oversees optimization and standardization of processes, systems, and reporting to make them easier for employees to use.

Fries also helps guide the strategic vision and direction of the company, and has enhanced internal communications, peer-to-peer learning and meetings across the organization. A serial entrepreneur, Fries was formerly chief operating officer at Grasscor, which Schill acquired in 2023 to expand in Cincinnati. Earlier in his career, Fries was co-founder and chief operating officer of Boca Restaurant Group, and he founded hospitality design firm Hermitage Creative Group.

Patrick Quinlan, a former panelist at Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 event, has been promoted to vice president of mergers & acquisitions. Quinlan joined Schill in 2022 as corporate development manager and was later elevated to director of mergers & acquisitions as he refined Schill’s strategy for prospect identification, due diligence, execution, integration and post-closing performance tracking. Prior to joining Schill, Quinlan spent five years in sell-side investment banking at VRA Partners.

Michael Palmer has joined Schill as vice president of marketing. He leads brand positioning, performance marketing, sales enablement and communications strategy to ensure cohesive messaging across all digital and traditional channels. Palmer was previously head of product & brand experience at Nerdy, executive director brand marketing at StrongArm, vice president of brand marketing at Everything But The House, co-founder and owner of experiential marketing concept Oggo, and marketing and creative director at Boca Restaurant Group.

“Jono, Patrick, and Palmer bring fresh thinking, creative and innovative ideas, and relentless passion for growing our business,” said Jerry Schill, who founded Schill Grounds Management more than 30 years ago. “Each of them will roll up their sleeves and get down into the trenches to find better ways to operate and execute. They are students of our business, and critical thinkers who enrich our outcomes and enhance our performance on a daily basis.”

McHale Landscape Design promotes 4 to key roles

Samantha Fisher, Manny Marchelli, Anthony Barbarino and Barrett Wolf all received new roles.

McHale Landscape Design has announced a series of key leadership promotions the company implemented in 2024.

• Samantha Fisher was named regional branch manager of the company’s Eastern Shore location. A member of the company’s maintenance department since 2008, Fisher oversees operations from its Easton facility.
• Manny Marchelli was promoted to regional branch manager of its Clarksburg office. Marchelli joined McHale through the Green Gardens acquisition in 2018 and previously worked as a senior account manager. He will now oversee the Clarksburg design studio, full-service maintenance team and operations facility.
• After 15 years with McHale, Anthony Barbarino transitioned into the design/build division as a senior landscape professional. Barbarino is now applying his expertise in high-end residential landscape design throughout Northern Virginia.
• Barrett Wolf has been named vice president of finance & IT and works at the company’s corporate office in Upper Marlboro. Wolf joined McHale in 2020 as director of business operations & modernization and will now oversee financial strategy and IT infrastructure, ensuring continued innovation and efficiency across the company.

Stihl relocates to expanded Mid-Atlantic Stihl distribution and training facility

The new facility in Mebane, North Carolina, is located about 10 miles away from their previous location.

Stihl has expanded and relocated its Mid-Atlantic Stihl distribution and training facility.

Located in Orange County for 25 years, the new facility in Mebane, North Carolina is located about 10 miles away from their previous location. Stihl officials say the move represents a significant investment and will continue serving the 1,000 authorized local Stihl dealers across the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and portions of Tennessee and West Virginia.

The facility’s 265,200 square feet of operational space, with 15,000 square feet allocated for office space and dealer training, significantly enhances operational efficiency. In addition, this expansion more than doubles the previous warehouse capacity and adds over three times the number of dock doors, streamlining shipping and order fulfillment processes. The increased warehouse space facilitates improved order staging and longer racking, optimizing order picking and product replenishment. These enhancements contribute to more accurate and timely deliveries to retailers. Additionally, the larger facility includes expanded classrooms and training areas to support product portfolio growth, including wheeled goods.

“We are excited about Mid-Atlantic Stihl’s expansion and the positive impact it will have on our order fulfillment capabilities,” says Charles Bailey, branch director of Mid-Atlantic Stihl. “This new facility not only bolsters our support for the local economy, but also enhances our ability to serve Stihl dealers more effectively, ensuring they can better meet their customers’ needs.”

Mariani Premier Group acquires Hazeltine Nurseries

Mariani Premier Group acquires Hazeltine Nurseries

Hazeltine joins Mariani’s Florida-based partners Blue Landscape & Outdoor Solutions, Botanica Landscape, Garden Industries and TCIROOD.

Mariani Premier Group has acquired Hazeltine Nurseries, a Florida-based residential landscape company. Through this acquisition, the Mariani Premier Group further expands its presence in Florida with partners Blue Landscape & Outdoor Solutions, Botanica Landscape, Garden Industries, TCIROOD and now Hazeltine Nurseries.

Hazeltine Nurseries was established in 1983 by Stephen and Michelle Hazeltine and offers design/build services, hardscapes, garden maintenance and irrigation solutions. Meanwhile, Mariani ranked No. 7 on Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 list in 2024.

“We are excited to welcome Hazeltine Nurseries into our family of companies. Their legacy and expertise further strengthen our mission to set a new standard in the green industry,” says Mariani Premier Group CEO Bryan Christiansen. “We were impressed by their dedication to craftsmanship as well as creative design and exceptional customer service, which fits well with the values and mission of the Mariani Premier Group. We are eager to provide support for Hazeltine Nurseries as they achieve further growth and success.”

Hazeltine Nurseries also operates a large 90-acre nursery dedicated to growing rare and exclusive palm species which are not typically cultivated on a commercial basis. The public Garden Center at Hazeltine Nurseries provides customers with a wide range of plants and landscaping materials.

“This partnership with the Mariani Premier Group represents a meaningful milestone in our journey,” says Stephen Hazeltine, president of Hazeltine Nurseries. “We’re excited to join an organization that values craftsmanship, integrity,and a long-term vision of the landscape industry as much as we do. When we started Hazeltine Nurseries over 40 years ago, we focused on quality, service, and relationships. Partnering with the Mariani Premier Group allows us to build on that foundation while exploring new opportunities for growth.”

Coalmarch transitions to private ownership

Along with its return to private ownership, Coalmarch will launch a strategic partnership with WorkWave.

Coalmarch will transition to private ownership but retain ties to WorkWave through a strategic partnership.

“This is an exciting milestone for us,” says Coalmarch CEO Jeff Davis. “We are grateful for the experience gained under WorkWave and are eager to steer Coalmarch into its next phase, one that brings us back to our roots while prioritizing our customers and their needs.”

Coalmarch, now with a leadership team with decades of industry experience, has long been embedded in the green industry. Before its acquisition by RealGreen in 2021, the company was led by Triangle Home Services Owner Donnie Shelton.

“Our goal is to provide businesses with the tools, technology and marketing strategies they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. By combining Coalmarch’s expertise with seamless integrations and industry-leading insights, we’re committed to helping green industry professionals scale smarter and grow stronger than ever before,” says Joe Kucik, a board member at Coalmarch.

Along with its return to private ownership, Coalmarch will launch a strategic partnership with WorkWave. This collaboration ensures native integrations with PestPac and Real Green, allowing connectivity between Coalmarch’s marketing platforms and WorkWave’s essential software solutions. Additionally, Coalmarch will serve as a platinum sponsor at WorkWave’s annual User Conference.

To kick off this new chapter, Coalmarch is launching a webinar series designed to help lawn care and landscaping professionals. The webinars will cover topics such as mastering digital advertising, navigating Google updates, leveraging AI-driven tools and crafting cohesive marketing strategies.